Formalizar Conjugation in Spanish
formalizar means "to formalise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the contract with the company, the enrolment at the university, the agreement between the parties and the registration for the course. This page gives you the complete conjugation of formalizar in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. formalizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "Every day, I formalise the contract with the company." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: formalizar
- English: to formalise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: formalizando
- Past participle: formalizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + formalizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of formalizar with all six persons. The gerund is formalizando and the past participle is formalizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalizo |
| tú | formalizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | formaliza |
| nosotros/as | formalizamos |
| vosotros/as | formalizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalicé |
| tú | formalizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalizó |
| nosotros/as | formalizamos |
| vosotros/as | formalizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalizaba |
| tú | formalizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalizaba |
| nosotros/as | formalizábamos |
| vosotros/as | formalizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalizaré |
| tú | formalizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalizará |
| nosotros/as | formalizaremos |
| vosotros/as | formalizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalizaría |
| tú | formalizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalizaría |
| nosotros/as | formalizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | formalizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he formalizado |
| tú | has formalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha formalizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos formalizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis formalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han formalizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había formalizado |
| tú | habías formalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había formalizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos formalizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais formalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían formalizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré formalizado |
| tú | habrás formalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá formalizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos formalizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis formalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán formalizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría formalizado |
| tú | habrías formalizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría formalizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos formalizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais formalizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían formalizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalice |
| tú | formalices |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalice |
| nosotros/as | formalicemos |
| vosotros/as | formalicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | formalizara |
| tú | formalizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalizara |
| nosotros/as | formalizáramos |
| vosotros/as | formalizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | formaliza |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalice |
| nosotros/as | formalicemos |
| vosotros/as | formalizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | formalices |
| él/ella/Ud. | formalice |
| nosotros/as | formalicemos |
| vosotros/as | formalicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | formalicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about formalizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of formalizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "Every day, I formalise the contract with the company." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of formalizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo formalicé la matrícula en la universidad. — "Yesterday, I formalised the enrolment at the university." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is formalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example formalice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of formalizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo formalizaba el acuerdo entre las partes. — "In the past, I used to formalise the agreement between the parties." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of formalizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros formalizaremos la inscripción en el curso. — "Tomorrow, we will formalise the registration for the course." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of formalizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú formalizarías el contrato con la empresa. — "If you could, you would formalise the contract with the company." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of formalizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he formalizado la matrícula en la universidad. — "I have formalised the enrolment at the university." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of formalizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había formalizado el acuerdo entre las partes. — "Before the party, I had formalised the agreement between the parties." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of formalizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré formalizado la inscripción en el curso. — "By tomorrow, I will have formalised the registration for the course." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of formalizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría formalizado el contrato con la empresa. — "If I had been able to, I would have formalised the contract with the company." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of formalizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él formalice la matrícula en la universidad. — "I hope that he/she formalises the enrolment at the university." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is formalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example formalice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of formalizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él formalizara el acuerdo entre las partes, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she formalised the agreement between the parties, everything would turn out better." For formalizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem formaliz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of formalizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Formaliza la inscripción en el curso! — "Formalise the registration for the course!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is formalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example formalice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of formalizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No formalices el contrato con la empresa. — "Do not formalise the contract with the company." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is formalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example formalice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: formalizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with formalizar, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "Every day, I formalise the contract with the company." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo formalicé la matrícula en la universidad. — "Yesterday, I formalised the enrolment at the university." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo formalizaba el acuerdo entre las partes. — "In the past, I used to formalise the agreement between the parties." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros formalizaremos la inscripción en el curso. — "Tomorrow, we will formalise the registration for the course." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú formalizarías el contrato con la empresa. — "If you could, you would formalise the contract with the company." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he formalizado la matrícula en la universidad. — "I have formalised the enrolment at the university." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él formalice el acuerdo entre las partes. — "I hope that he/she formalises the agreement between the parties." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él formalizara la inscripción en el curso, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she formalised the registration for the course, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Formaliza el contrato con la empresa! — "Formalise the contract with the company!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy formalizando la matrícula en la universidad. — "Now, I am formalising the enrolment at the university." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with formalizar
The errors learners actually make with formalizar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me formalizo el contrato con la empresa.
- Right: Yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa.
- Why: formalizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él formaliza la matrícula en la universidad.
- Right: Espero que él formalice la matrícula en la universidad.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for formalizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: formalice, not formaliza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo formalizo la matrícula en la universidad.
- Right: Ayer, yo formalicé la matrícula en la universidad.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo formalicé la matrícula en la universidad. — "Yesterday, I formalised the enrolment at the university."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy formalizado el acuerdo entre las partes.
- Right: Estoy formalizando el acuerdo entre las partes.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund formalizando for the progressive. The participle formalizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he formalizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros formaliza el contrato con la empresa.
- Right: Nosotros formalizamos el contrato con la empresa.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes formalizamos, while formaliza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: formalizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on formalizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of formalizar in the present tense?
- (a) formalizo
- (b) formalizas
- (c) formaliza
- (d) formalizamos
Answer: (a) formalizo. The yo form is formalizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of formalizar in the present tense?
- (a) formalizo
- (b) formaliza
- (c) formalizamos
- (d) formalizas
Answer: (d) formalizas. The tú form is formalizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of formalizar in the present tense?
- (a) formalizas
- (b) formalizamos
- (c) formaliza
- (d) formalizo
Answer: (c) formaliza. The él/ella form is formaliza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of formalizar in the present tense?
- (a) formaliza
- (b) formalizamos
- (c) formalizo
- (d) formalizas
Answer: (b) formalizamos. The nosotros form is formalizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of formalizar in the present tense?
- (a) formalizan
- (b) formalizo
- (c) formalizas
- (d) formaliza
Answer: (a) formalizan. The ellos/ellas form is formalizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of formalizar?
- (a) formalizando
- (b) formalizado
- (c) formalizo
- (d) formalizar
Answer: (a) formalizando. The gerund is formalizando, used for the progressive: estoy formalizando.
7. What is the past participle of formalizar?
- (a) formalizando
- (b) formalicé
- (c) formalizar
- (d) formalizado
Answer: (d) formalizado. The past participle is formalizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he formalizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ el contrato con la empresa.
- (a) formaliza
- (b) formalizamos
- (c) formalizo
- (d) formalizas
Answer: (c) formalizo. The sentence needs the yo form formalizo (Every day, I formalise the contract with the company.)
9. What is the yo form of formalizar in the preterite?
- (a) formalizamos
- (b) formalicé
- (c) formalizaste
- (d) formalizó
Answer: (b) formalicé. The yo preterite is formalicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el acuerdo entre las partes.
- (a) formalices
- (b) formalicemos
- (c) formalicéis
- (d) formalice
Answer: (d) formalice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is formalice.
Frequently asked questions about formalizar
Is formalizar regular?
Almost. formalizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is formalicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example formalice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does formalizar mean, and when do I use it?
formalizar means "to formalise" in English. Use it when you talk about the contract with the company, the enrolment at the university, the agreement between the parties and the registration for the course — for example: Yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "I formalise the contract with the company." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "I formalise the contract with the company." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of formalizar?
No. formalizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "I formalise the contract with the company." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with formalizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo formalizo el contrato con la empresa. — "I formalise the contract with the company." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo formalicé el contrato con la empresa. — "Yesterday, I formalised the contract with the company." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.